- Type
- Prescription retinoid
- How serious
- High severity
- Evidence
- Strong evidence
Why it is flagged
Oral retinoids are established teratogens, and guidance is not to use retinoid creams or gels in pregnancy or while trying to conceive. Health Canada's Hotlist prohibits retinoic acid in cosmetics, and the EU lists it in Annex II.
Health topics it bears on
Sources
- Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: Prohibited and restricted ingredients Health Canada, 2025
- Management of acne: Canadian clinical practice guideline Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2016
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products (consolidated text of 1 May 2026) European Union (Official Journal of the European Union), 2026
- Retinoid gels and creams ('topical retinoids') UK Teratology Information Service, 2024
- Skin Conditions During Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2022
- Safety of skin care products during pregnancy Canadian Family Physician (College of Family Physicians of Canada), 2011
Also listed as
retinoic acid, all-trans retinoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid, trans-retinoic acid, vitamin a acid, isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 13-cis retinoic acid, cis-retinoic acid, trétinoïne, isotrétinoïne, acide rétinoïque, tretinoina, tretinoína, isotretinoina, isotretinoína, ácido retinoico, acido retinoico